What’s the best CDP software for small tech startups?

We’re a small but growing tech startup trying to better manage our customer data across marketing, product, and sales. Right now, everything’s scattered across tools and spreadsheets.

We’re exploring Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) that can help us unify data, improve personalization, and drive smarter campaigns without needing a giant data team to manage it.

We’re hoping to find a solution that:

• Connects easily with our existing tools (email, CRM, analytics, etc.)
• Gives actionable insights and audience segments we can actually use
• Is affordable and lightweight enough for a lean startup
• Can scale as we grow, without forcing us into an expensive enterprise plan

Here are some of the top players I’ve been looking at on G2:

1. Insider — Strong marketing automation + CDP combo, but is it manageable for a small team?
2. Bloomreach — Known for personalization, but is it too enterprise-heavy for startups?
3. WebEngage — Looks promising for retention and engagement — any small startup stories?
4. Fullstory — More product analytics + CDP — does it work well if you’re early-stage?
5. Dotdigital — Seems email-centric; how well does its CDP layer work for startups?

If you’re at a small tech startup and have tried any of these (or others), I’d love to hear:

• Why did you pick that platform?
• How was the setup and learning curve?
• What wins or challenges have you faced so far?
• Any standout features or big gaps?

Real-world advice from people in the trenches is way more valuable than just reading vendor sites. Thanks in advance for sharing!